A Cut Above
Greetings from our girls training in the hairdressing course at our Girls' Vocational Center!
Each week, they gather for lessons with their little ones right beside them. Because space is tight inside the center where the sewing machines are, the hairdressing classes meet outside under the shade. It's simple, but it works and the joy and determination you see in these young mothers is unmistakable.
Hairdressing is one of the most marketable skills in Uganda. When the girls complete the program, they earn a certificate that helps them secure a job in a local salon or even start a small business of their own.
And the transformation we've seen this year has been remarkable. This group is learning how to braid, style, and cut hair, but what stands out even more is their confidence. Their posture has changed. Their voices have changed. Their sense of what's possible has changed.
Girls like Zulaika, Dorothy, Lillian, Naziwa, Sharuwa, and Jane are all teen mothers who came to the center looking for safety and a way forward. The girls live in one of the poorest areas of rural Uganda. Most of these girls have faced unimaginable challenges in their young lives- from violence, child labor, and forced early marriage.
Now, they have skills training, social support, reproductive health education, and a future they can picture for themselves and their children.
You made this possible!
Your past generosity opened these doors, and the girls talk often about how grateful they are to have a place to learn and be supported. We are the only resource for the girls in this village.
Over the past few weeks, I've been sharing updates about our Her Future Starts Now campaign. We're now raising the funds needed so the next group of girls can start their tailoring and hairdressing courses in 2026.
I'll be sending a few more emails with ways you can help, but here's something important for your calendar:
Giving Tuesday is December 2.
It's a global day of generosity after Thanksgiving, when people everywhere come together to give back, share, volunteer, and spread hope. It's one of the most impactful days of the year for nonprofits like ours.
Thank you for being part of this community! You make so much possible!
With Gratitude,
Mary
P.S.- If you'd like to make your year-end gift early or simply share the link with someone who cares about girls' education, here it is: https://givebutter.com/CLP-HerFutureNow/marymuroski. Together, we can reach our $12,000 goal and open the doors for the next class before the school year begins!
